484 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—

(1) Since
July 1996, what level of funding has been appropriated in each Budget,
through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to protect
Australia’s sovereign rights in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
adjacent to Heard and McDonald Islands.

(2) In
each financial year since July 1996, including 2002-03 to date, how
much of the funding appropriated for the protection of Australia’s
sovereign rights in the EEZ adjacent to Heard and McDonald Islands was
actually spent.

(3) Where
not all of the funding appropriated was spent: (a) was funding carried
forward to the following year; and (b) what was the reason for the failure
of the Government to spend all funds appropriated for the above purpose.

(4) In
the above financial years: (a) what funding was allocated for surveillance
of the EEZ adjacent to Heard and McDonald Islands; (b) what level of
funding was allocated for monitoring fishing in this zone; and (c) what
level of funding was allocated for enforcement measures to combat illegal
fishing in the Heard and McDonald fishery.

(5) In
the above financial years: (a) what funding was actually spent on surveillance
of the EEZ adjacent to Heard and McDonald Islands, on monitoring fishing
in this zone; and (b) what level of funding was actually spent on enforcement
measures to combat illegal fishing in the Heard and McDonald fishery.

485 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—With
reference to the Minister’s media release, AFFA 02/128M, which announced
action ‘to get tougher on toothfish poachers’:

(1) What
level of funding has been appropriated for this purpose in addition
to funding provided in the 2002-03 federal Budget.

(2) Specifically,
what additional funding will be allocated to surveillance, monitoring
and enforcement measures in the Heard and McDonald fishery as part of
the Government’s announcement to increase security in this zone.

(3) (a)
What funding has been provided for in 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06
financial years to meet the cost of protecting the Heard and McDonald
fishery; and (b) what additional funding has been allocated for these
years following the Minister’s announcement that the Government is
to get tougher on poachers in that region.

486 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—

(1) How
many patrols have occurred in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) adjacent
to Heard and McDonald Islands to protect Australia’s sovereign rights
since July 1996.

(2) In
each case: (a) who undertook the patrol; (b) when did the patrol take
place; (c) what area did the patrol cover; and (d) what was the duration
of the patrol.

(3) What
will be the level of increased patrolling of the EEZ adjacent to Heard
and McDonald Islands to protect Australia’s sovereign rights, announced
by the Minister in his media release, AFFA02/128M, dated 25 July 2002.

487 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—

(1) What
is the membership of the high-level policy group to oversee the protection
of the Heard and McDonald Island Fishery announced by the Minister in
his media release, AFFA02/128M, dated 25 July 2002.

(2) (a)
How was the membership selected; (b) when is the proposed first meeting
of the group; and (c) how often is it intended the group meet.

(3) (a)
What are the terms of reference or guidelines that have been provided,
or will be provided, to this group defining its functions; and (b) who
drafted these terms of reference or guidelines.

(4) (a)
What is the anticipated annual cost of the operation of this high-level
policy group; and (b) how will this cost be met.

488 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—

(1) What
is the basis for the estimate of the illegal catch of Patagonian toothfish
of 3,000 tonnes from the Heard and McDonald Fishery referred to in the
Minister’s media release, AFFA02/128M, dated 25 July 2002.

(2) (a)
What estimates have been made of the illegal take of toothfish from
this fishery, by year, since July 1996; (b) who calculated those estimates;
and (c) what was the basis on which those estimates were calculated.

489 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—

(1) Since
July 1996, what contact has been made with France, South Africa, United
Kingdom and New Zealand regarding the combating of illegal fishing in
the southern ocean.

(2) (a)
On how many occasions has such contact been made with each of the about
countries; and (b) through what forums was contact made.

(3) (a)
What agreements have been reached with the above countries regarding
the combating of illegal fishing in the southern ocean; and (b) in each
case: (i) which country entered into the agreement, (ii) what was the
form of the agreement, and (iii) when did the terms of the agreement
come into force.

(4) If
no agreements have been entered into with any of the above countries
in relation to combating illegal fishing in the southern ocean, what
is the timeframe for each country for reaching agreements on both joint
surveillance and enforcement arrangements.

490 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Forestry and Conservation—

(1) What
are the names of the countries in which the trading of Patagonian toothfish
occurs, referred to in the Minister’s media release, AFFA02/128M,
dated 25 July 2002.

(2) In
each case, since July 1996, what negotiations have occurred in relation
to the restriction of market access for illegal catches of Patagonian
toothfish.

(3) In
each case: (a) when did these negotiations commence; (b) who initiated
the negotiations; (c) what has been the form of the negotiations; and
(d) what have been the outcomes of these negotiations.

(4) Where
there have been no outcomes, in relation to each of the above countries,
what is the agreed timetable to progress arrangements to restrict market
access for illegal catches of Patagonian toothfish.

491 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister for Defence—

(1) Since
July 1996, what has been the level of expenditure, by financial year,
on efforts to minimise the level of illegal fishing in Australia’s
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) adjacent to Heard and McDonald Islands.

(2) What
funding has been allocated for this purpose for the 2002-03 financial
year.

(3) What
additional funding has been allocated to minimise the level of illegal
fishing in Australia’s EEZ adjacent to Heard and McDonald Islands
for the 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 financial years, following
the announcement by the Minister for Forestry and Conservation in media
statement, AFFA02/128M, dated 25 July 2002.

492 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
Foreign Affairs—

(1) Since
July 1996, what diplomatic efforts have been made by Australia to establish
effective controls over illegal fishing.

(2) (a)
What form have these efforts taken; and (b) where have Australia’s
diplomatic efforts been focused in trying to better control illegal
fishing.

(3) Specifically:
(a) what diplomatic efforts have been undertaken by the Australian Government
to reduce the level of illegal fishing in Australia’s exclusive economic
zone (EEZ); (b) which countries have been the focus of these efforts;
(c) through what forums have these efforts been applied; and (d) what
have been the outcomes from these efforts to date.

(4) If
there have been no outcomes to date in relation to Australia’s efforts
to reduce the level of illegal fishing in our EEZ in relation to each
country, what is the timetable for achieving outcomes from these diplomatic
efforts.

493 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
Transport and Regional Services—

(1) How
many people travelled from South Korea to Australia between 1 June and
15 July 2002.

(2) Of
the people who travelled from South Korea to Australia between 1 June
and 15 July 2002: (a) how many arrived at the international airport of
Sydney; (b) how many arrived at the international airport of Brisbane;
and (c) how many transited to Melbourne airport.

494 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—(a) What proportion of all passengers
entering Australia from South Korea between 1 June and 15 July 2002 actually
received quarantine intervention at the international airport of Sydney;
(b) what proportion actually received quarantine intervention at the
international airport of Brisbane; and (c) what proportion, if any, actually
received quarantine intervention when they transited to Melbourne airport.

495 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—

(1) What
was the total number of cattle that died during the July 2002 voyage
of MV Becrux .

(2) When
did the Minister or his office first become aware of livestock deaths
aboard the MV Becrux .

(3) What
was the number of cattle deaths advised to the Minister or his office
in that advice.

(4) (a)
Who provided that information to the Minister or his office; and (b) how
was the information communicated.

(5) When
did the Minister or his office become aware that the number of cattle
that had perished on the July voyage of the MV Becrux was considerably higher than the initial reports of
losses.

(6) What
was the number of cattle deaths advised to the Minister or his office
in that advice.

(7) (a)
Who provided that information to the Minister or his office; and (b) how
was the information communicated.

(8) When
did the Minister first become aware that the number of cattle that had
perished on the July voyage of the MV Becrux was in the order of 900.

(9) What
was the exact number of cattle deaths advised to the Minister or his
office in that advice.

(10) (a)
Who provided that information to the Minister or his office; and (b) how
was the information communicated.

(11) Has
the Minister called for an investigation into these livestock deaths
aboard the MV Becrux , to be conducted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority,
the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and Livecorp.

(12) When
is the investigation due to report to the Minister.

(13) When
will the report be made available to: (a) the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and (b) the public.

496 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—

(1) Can
the Minister confirm that the entity that owns the MV Becrux is Wellard Rural Exports.

(2) Is
this an Australian-owned and operated company.

(3) How
many Australians does Wellard Rural Exports employ directly in relation
to live exports of Australian livestock.

(4) Has
Wellard Rural Exports (or its predecessors) been involved in any incident
in the past 10 financial years where mortality rates of Australian-sourced
animals during live export have exceeded the acceptable level set by
Commonwealth regulation, industry codes of conduct or any other regulation
which may apply; if so: (a) when did these incidents occur; (b) what
type and breed of animals perished; and (c) in what numbers.

(5) From
which areas of Australia were the deceased animals sourced for each
voyage undertaken by Wellard Rural Exports where the maximum acceptable
mortality rate as determined by Commonwealth regulation, industry codes
of conduct or any other regulation which may apply, was exceeded in
the past 10 financial years.

(6) What
investigations were undertaken by the Commonwealth into these incidents.

(7) What
steps were taken by the Commonwealth to ensure the welfare of animals
after investigations into these incidents had been concluded.

497 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
the Environment and Heritage—

(1) What
action has been taken by the department to address the spread of the
vegetation disease known as Muldalla Yellow.

(2) What
is the known distribution of the disease: (a) by region in South Australia;
and (b) by state and territory.

(3) What
is the known impact of the disease, if any, on agricultural production:
(a) by agricultural activity in each region of South Australia; and
(b) by agricultural activity in each state and territory.

(4) (a)
What funding has been allocated by the department for research into
the disease; (b) when was it allocated; and (c) for what purpose.

498 Senator
O’Brien: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for
the Environment and Heritage—

(1) What
action has been taken by the department to address the spread of the
vegetation disease known as Muldalla Yellow.

(2) What
is the known distribution of the disease: (a) by region in South Australia;
and (b) by state and territory.

(3) What
is the known impact of the disease, if any, on vegetation: (a) in each
region of South Australia; and (b) in each state and territory.

(4) (a)
What funding has been allocated by the department for research into
the disease; (b) when was it allocated; and (c) for what purpose.